Panasonic Adds 1080p LCDs, THX Plasmas

Panasonic updated its HDTV line, including a four new THX-certified 1080p plasmas and a 37-inch 1080p LCD display.

LAS VEGASPanasonic launched an updated Viera HDTV line on Sunday, bringing both LCD displays and plasma TVs under a single brand.

Also announced were a number of new displays. Most noteworthy were the 37-inch TC-37LZ85 LCD and the 46-inch TH-46PZ800. Both represent new form factors in Panasonic's HDTV line. Moreover, all Viera HDTVs now incorporate SDHC flash memory card support.

The flagship PZ800 line consists of four different units, offering 42-, 46-, 50- and 58-inch diagonal form factors. All four meet the new THX Certified Display specification, include four HDMI inputs, an SDHC slot and a new "single sheet of glass" design concept. To support the new plasma TV line, Panasonic is building its fifth plasma panel manufacturing plant in Amagasaki, Japan, which is slated to come on line in 2009. The new plant will have a manufacturing capacity of 1 million panels a month.

Panasonic's latest LCD line includes the TC-37LZ85 and the premium TC-37LZ800, Panasonic's first 37-inch, 1080p LCD HDTVs.

The new Panasonic Viera HDTV lineup is slated to ship in spring of 2008 in North America; pricing has not yet been finalized.